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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Phillip Gulley

A friend from church recently recommended that I read a book by someone named Phillip Gulley. She told me that he is a Quaker pastor and writes inspiring stories. Let me stop at this point and say that I usually take book recommendations with a grain of salt. When you are a minister, everyone thinks they have a book you should read. I've also recently graduated from seminary, and still get sick when I think of the mounds of bibliographies I received from my professors enumerating books that "I just have to read."This is very hypocritical of me, because I often think I know what other people need to read. This is also part of being a minister.

I do not "have to read" any book, but I'm glad I cracked open Front Porch Tales by Gulley.



















His writing style is everything I wish I could be as a person. It is simple, poignant, and prov
oking. Phillip manages to tell heartwarming stories that still pack a punch. It is like "Guideposts" with substance (no offense to any Guideposts fans out there). The most striking element in his writing is not something I can readily put my finger on. Somehow, his stories turn into sermons, but it happens before you can put your guard up. He sneaks the medicine in with the ice cream, and you come away all the better for it.

Don't take it from me. Ministers always have a book they think you should read. Take it from my friend. Phillip Gulley is good stuff.

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